STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Family, friends and fellow residents will gather later this month as a street in Sunnyside is set to be renamed in honor of a Staten Island man who was tragically killed last September.
On Sept. 21 at 11 a.m.
, Sunnyside Terrace will be renamed “Frank Pompilii Way” after Francesco (Frank) Pompilii, an 81-year-old grandfather who, police say, was fatally stabbed by a neighbor who went on a rampage on the block. A 78-year-old man was left in critical condition and that man’s 51-year-old son sustained injuries during the same Sept. 22, 2023, attack.
Ramazan Ramusevic, 57, of West Brighton, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. A neighbor at the time of his death described Pompilii, who lived on Sunnyside Terrace for over 50 years, as “a staple on the street,” and said: “It’s a great loss for everyone.” According to his son Frank, Pompilii was born in Abruzzo, Italy, and arrived in America through Ellis Island at 17 years old as “one of those hardworking immigrants looking to make a life and have a family and opportunity here in the United States.
” Frank Pompilii was joined by his family for a July 2023 trip to Italy less than two months before his death. (Courtesy of Frank Pompilii) Frank Pompilii He went on to attend Curtis High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he became certified as a fashion clothing cutter supervisor. Working his way up through the garment industry, Pompilii worked as a supervisor for making and cutting band uniforms at the former Uniforms by Ostwald in New Brighton for 22 years.
He later worked for 10 years at Albilt Uniforms in the Bronx as a supervisor in the clothing cutting department before retiring. His son said that while Pompilii came up during a time where diversity in the workplace was extremely limited, he still managed to help train two of the first female garment cutters in New York City. “He was always very mesmerized by all of the incredible luxuries that we have here in the states that many others often take for granted just simply because we’ve just grown up with it,” Frank said.
“But my dad always appreciated those things because he just came from a very different place and time and even economical standing.” Frank added that his dad didn’t only enjoy knowing everything that was going on in his community, but loved serving Staten Island. That service included his 30-year standing as a member of the Knights of Columbus; his 20 years of volunteer work at PS 35 in Sunnyside; or, as a devout parishioner at Blessed Sacrament R.
C. Church in West Brighton for over 60 years. “Every neighbor knew my dad; he was extremely loved on the block,” Frank pointed out.
Having learned to garden in Italy, Pompilii turned his Sunnyside yard into a small farm where he’d grow an array of vegetables that he’d personally deliver to his neighbors. Frank also noted that his dad’s funeral service had a “rock star” quality to it as a long procession of mourners waited three to four hours in the rain to enter Matthew Funeral Home in Willowbrook to pay their respects. Considered the epitome of a committed family man, Frank explained that following retirement, his dad was savvy enough to have made investments in the stock market that ended up being lucrative enough that the college tuition for his six grandchildren will be covered years after his death.
“He lived for us,” Frank said. “He gave us everything he had.” “It’s kind of ironic that they’re naming the street ‘Frank Pompilii Way,’” Frank said.
“Because my dad certainly had a way about him that was unique.” “You would think it would be impossible to come from his very humble upbringing and having such an impact on the world and so many people. It was something special that he had.
A very pure intention for connecting and loving those around him.” Frank Pompilii was joined by his family for a July 2023 trip to Italy less than two months before his death. (Courtesy of Frank Pompilii) Frank Pompilii.
